"He was there," she replied, slowly, "and he kindly saw me home."
"Why did he not come in?" asked Mrs. Stanton.
"Really, I suppose, because I never thought of asking him," said Aldyth.
An expression of impatience escaped her mother's lips.
"I cannot understand you, Aldyth. I should have thought you would have wished to help and not hinder your sister's happiness. Have you not noticed how often Captain Walker comes here? And of course it is to see Gladys. You must have observed it."
"He comes here a great deal, certainly," said Aldyth, with some embarrassment.
A few days earlier she could have accepted her mother's explanation of the motive of the captain's frequent visits; but since then one little thing and another had occurred to put her on her guard, and to-night he had let fall a word which had forced her to receive a wholly unwelcome idea.
Mrs. Stanton was quick to see her embarrassment. "Surely you are not thinking of him for yourself, Aldyth?" she said, in a cold, suspicious tone.
"Mamma!" said Aldyth, flushing crimson.
"Oh, I suppose you are shocked at my outspokenness; but what is the use of mincing matters? I should like to know what you do mean, that I may act accordingly."